Poppa’s got a brand new (laptop) bag

Now that I’ve had time to acclimate to my new MacBook Retina, it was time to do something to help carry and protect my new investment. While the Retina laptop is one of the lighter and sleeker I’ve owned, carrying it about made be a bit apprehensive. The unibody aluminum chassis is durable, but not immune to scratches and scuffs, and when you spend this kind of coin on a computer you want to keep it in mint condition.

While there is a plethora of bags and sleeves out there for the MacBook, I was looking for something specific- a bag that would be sleek, make the laptop easier to carry, protect it from minor bumps and scrapes, and most importantly offer some additional capacity to carry important additions like the power brick. Some of the most eye catching models (mainly sleeves) lacked the last but most important feature. I did find a few that looked promising like the Waterfield CitySlicker and Indy (or a few others, Waterfield has a very impressive lineup), or the Concrete Hook Case. While all of these selections fit what I was looking for and are visually impressive, they all had the same problem- price. After spending so much on the laptop itself, I was loathe to lay down another hundred or two on an accessory, regardless of how aesthetically pleasing it was. If you’re in the market act quickly before they are gone.

A trip to my local Apple Store came up empty. While they had a good selection of sleeves, I wasn’t in the market for one. The majority of their actual bags were backpacks- too bulky for what I needed. One of the associates saw me perusing their stock and suggested I try the Best Buy a block away, stating that they have enough shelf space to accommodate a wider range of products. While they didn’t have what I was looking for in their store, the associate manning the Apple section tipped me off to what led me to my eventual choice. He urged me to try Best Buy’s online selections, specifically the Brenthaven lineup. He assured me that Apple used Brenthaven’s bags exclusively in-house, and demonstrated the model he had been given years earlier (which still looked pristine after the seven years he had owned it). Encouraged, I went home to do a bit of shopping the way I preferred- online.

His advice was exactly what I needed (thank you nameless Best Buy/Apple associate!). After just a few minutes of perusing I found the ProStyle Plus Sleeve II. The nylon bag is slender but can accommodate the MacBook Pro and Retina version (the model I chose was specific for the 13 inch version) and has two pouches for additional storage: one large side pouch and a smaller pouch dubbed the iPhone pocket. The construction is top notch and includes both suitcase-style handles and a removable padded shoulder strap. The inner lining is of a silky synthetic material that will keep your laptop scuff-free and safe from minor bumps. Best of all the price was right- just over $30 including standard shipping. The ProStyle Plus Sleeve isn’t as eye-catching as what Waterfield has to offer, but the price makes up for any stylistic differences.

Sadly, this must be a closeout item for Best Buy because a search of Best Buy’s site during this post came up empty for the exact model I purchased. They do have a comparable 13 inch model in plum, and additional ones for 15 inch laptops (and a very nice satchel). While not the deal I managed to snag, the remaining bags are still very affordable and an excellent selection for the MacBook owner looking for something both stylish and practical.

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Some practical advice for the Mac curious

Back from a short but cold business trip to Wisconsin. It may not have been that frigid to the locals, but to a Florida native highs in the 20′s with constant snow is one of the undiscussed circles of Dante’s hell. A couple of quick observations while spending time in airport terminals waiting on connecting flights:

Half of all the laptops I saw in use were Macbooks. A bit surprising, considering that the majority of users were business travelers.

I saw as many iPad Minis as regular iPads. Not that surprising given the news of the Mini’s popularity, even without a retina display. Pundits that like to echo the mantra that Apple can’t be successful without Steve Jobs should stop and consider that he was firmly opposed to the iPad Mini.

I saw a few of the latest Samsung ‘phablets’ (the Galaxy Note). Good god are they huge; forget about carrying it anywhere but a purse or backpack. If you own one and enjoy it, rock that party my friend; I can’t imagine any informed consumer picking up something so ungainly.

Something awaiting me when I landed home and was able to take my iPhone off Airplane Mode was another request for help from a coworker looking to switch to a Mac instead of buying into the bag of hurt that is Windows 8. While my knee jerk answer would be to just head over to your local Apple Store and talk to one of the associates, not everyone has this option.

So for the Mac curious lacking any informal help on choosing the right model, let me humbly offer the advice I gave to my coworker. As with just about any major purchase, the right choice depends on your needs. While I’ve been using an iPad with a keyboard (currently a Brydge) for all my mobile purposes, it’s not idea for everyone. There are some tasks that call for a full fledged laptop, and many that are possible on an iPad but require a change in your workflow that not everyone will find acceptable.

For general computing use, your best choice is the workhorse model of Macbook Pro, the 13 inch base model. The most recent model offers a powerful Intel i5 processor, adequate memory and hard drive space, and very good battery life (up to seven hours) coupled with the lowest price of the Pro lineup. As with all of Apple’s laptop line it sports a unibody aluminum case, making it very durable. The large trackpad (considerably bigger than most competitors) is perfect for OSX’s multitouch controls. Should you need more memory it’s easily upgraded; I’d recommend for all but the technophobic to do so themselves rather than ordering extra memory from Apple as they tend to charge considerably more to preinstall it.

If you need more horsepower or screen space then move up to the 15″ Pro. The entry model sports a quad core processor instead of the 13′s dual core (four ‘brains’ on the chip rather than two, providing more stability and multitasking prowess). The larger laptop also comes with a discreet graphics card making it a much better choice for the amateur photo or video editor, or those that want to explore the Mac’s growing gaming options.

If you plan on using your laptop on the go and/or don’t need an optical drive (Apple’s Superdrive, the DVD and CD slot on the Pro model) I’d recommend the Macbook Air. The 11 inch model is small enough to fit in a large purse but still sports a full sized keyboard and trackpad. Both the 11 and 13 inch models are ridiculously thin and light, but still offer a considerable amount of power for just about any everyday task. Other than screen space the primary difference between the two is battery life; the 11 advertises five hours, the 13 matches the 7 hour life of it’s Pro sibling. While they lack in internal DVD drive, if you truly need one but covet the Air’s portability you can always pick up an external drive like Apple’s own USB Superdrive (matching the aesthetic and slimness of the Air). The biggest caveat of the Air (other than lack of optical drive) is that they aren’t user-customizable; you are stuck with what you purchase. All the components are permanently affixed to the motherboard, and none but a professional should attempt to access the Air’s internal workings. That being said, even the first generation Macbook Air that I’ve owned was capable of just about any task that I had without a complaint.

I wouldn’t advise opting for any of the new retina display models of Macbook Pro unless you truly need the higher resolution or have some extra cash you don’t mind parting with. Much like the iPad Mini beside a full iPad, you only notice the difference in resolution when you place a non retina screen beside a retina one. While the visual clarity of the retina Macbook Pros is stunning, it’s an expensive upgrade unless you truly will exploit it. Bear in mind, all of the retina display Pros lack optical drives like the Airs.

For those of you that are shopping for both a desktop and a laptop, allow me to make one last suggestion. Your new Macbook (regardless of model) sports an important and versatile technology- the Thunderbolt port. Via this port you could easily connect to one of Apple’s beautiful (but pricey) Thunderbolt displays, instantly transforming your laptop into a desktop (along with your choice of bluetooth keyboard and mouse/trackpad). For those of you wanting a less expensive method of docking, there are multiple options. You could simply connect directly to a third party monitor via a Thunderbolt to HDMI or mini DVI adaptor and control your laptop via USB or Bluetooth inputs. If you’d like something a bit more elegant there is Belkin’s new Thunderbolt Express Dock. One cable to your Macbook connects it to a wide range of ports and inputs: Gigiabit ethernet, USB, audio/mic, and two serial Thunderbolt connectors.

While you can’t go wrong with an iMac or Mac Mini, unless your budget isn’t constrained you would be well served by a Macbook running in clamshell mode if you really need the desktop experience at home as well as a full laptop on the go. There are many accessories to optimize your experience as well, like 12South’s BookArc, Raindesign’s mTower, or Just Mobile’s clever AluRack (hiding your laptop behind your desktop monitor!).

I’ve owned and built a lot of Windows computers, but there’s nothing to rival Apple’s Mac lineup. When I considered the quality of construction, power and ease of use of OSX, and Apple’s top notch customer service there’s no other computer I’d recommend. While they do cost more than your run of the mill $500 Dell, you get what you pay for. For long time Windows users looking to purchase a new system I urge you to give Macs a look; Windows 8 will require you to relearn how to interact with your computer and may have a steeper learning curve than a better constructed, more stable and more secure Mac would.

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The Most Literate iPhone case

While I’d strongly advocate anyone that spends the money on a smartphone protect it with a case, when it comes to my iPhone I just can’t make do with the same boring bumper case or Otterbox that most of my coworkers have. I’ve experimented with several types of cases, but my hospital work attire and its lack of suitable pockets have always led me back to the various wallet-style cases in order to cut down on the things I have to carry with me.

The first wallet-style case I found was a simple accessory- a silicone-lined hard plastic case with a slot on the back that could hold debit/credit/identification cards. It offered decent protection against scuffs and allowed me to leave my wallet in my car during the day (or on simple outings). I’ve had a few variations on this style of case, from models that have a slot accessible from the top of the case to ones that you slide your cards into horizontally, along the volume control side of the iPhone. While it was advantageous being able to rely on my iPhone’s case to hold the important cards I use on a regular basis, the lack of any space for cash was a drawback. Ultimately, the desire for something a little more aesthetically pleasing led me to search a little more.

I’ve seen money clip-style cases, but they seem a bit bulky and to be honest I use my cards far more often than cash. Other wallet-style cases lacked some important feature, either functional or form. After a long online quest I finally found what I had been looking for: Twelve South‘s BookBook. 

The BookBook product line has been engineered for the iPhone, iPad, Macbook Pro, and Macbook Air. In all of it’s versions, the BookBook has the outward appearance of an old, time-worn hardback book. Twelve South proudly advertises that no two BookBooks are exactly alike, and considering the quality of the product, from the feel of the leather to the careful stitching used I believe them. The iPhone version of the BookBook offers more than just classically stylish protection for your phone, however; when opened the case reveals your phone, three distinct card slots, and a hidden pouch behind them for cash. Your iPhone is held in place by fitted leather borders that leave all but the volume buttons accessible (and those can easily be adjusted through the casing). The iPhone is kept in its housing by a red tab that appears to be a bookmark when the case is closed.

The outermost card slot has a transparent plastic cover, making the card within visible (I use mine as the model depicted in the image, with my driver’s license in the outermost slot so that when asked for ID I don’t have to remove the card). The other two slots are reserved for my debit and most commonly used credit card; on occasion I’ve placed an additional card behind each when needed with no ill effects. While the cash pouch behind the card slots is handy, it isn’t for those that like to carry a lot of bills. Bills have to be folded to fit the slot, meaning that it will hold three, maybe four folded bills at the most.

One other caveat- the BookBook doesn’t have a port for the iPhone’s camera, so if you want to take a quick snapshot you have to slide your phone out of the case a couple of inches to free the lens from the housing. While it’s not a deal breaker, if you take a lot of pictures or video with your iPhone it will be inconvenient.

For an every-day case, the BookBook has been perfect for me. It fits all the categories I was searching for in an iPhone case: stylish, unique, and very functional. I get compliments on a regular basis for its function and appearance. I do admit it’s not the only case I use; for walking, running, or doing yard work  I have a neoprene arm band-style case, and I keep a simple slimline case for the rare instances when I don’t need to consolidate my wallet and iOS device. The BookBook does add some bulk to the iPhone and requires an extra step to use the device, but I am still an enthusiastic advocate. The BookBook iPhone case is available at Apple retail stores or online via Twelve South’s webpage. 

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